Karni Sena, in association with other organisations including the Akhil Bhartiya Rajasthani Samaj, Pune, and Bajrang Dal, is organising a a ‘Chetawani rally’ (warning march) on January 22.

Representatives of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Yuva Rajput Prathisthan were also present at the press conference organised by Karni Sena in Pune to extend their support to the agitation.(HT PHOTO)

The Pune district unit of Karni Sena, the organisation spearheading opposition to the screening of Bollywood film Padmavaat, has issued threats and has warned theatres against screening the film in the city.

Karni Sena, in association with other organisations including the Akhil Bhartiya Rajasthani Samaj, Pune, and Bajrang Dal, held a press conference on Saturday to announce a ‘Chetawani rally’ (warning march) on January 22. It also announced their participation in the nationwide bandh called by Karni Sena on January 25, the day on which filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film is scheduled to release.

Speaking at the press conference, Pune district chief of Karni Sena,Vikram Singh Solanki, said, “We are not happy with the changes made by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He has just changed the name of the movie and the rest is the same as before. Hence, we have also planned a nationwide bandh on January 25. All Hindu organisations, including Bajrang Dal, Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, are supporting us.”

Extending support to the agitation, Nitin Mahajan, Bajarang Dal’s Pune city convener, said that the issue is not just related to the Rajasthani community but is related to all Hindus. He said that letters have been issued to theatres and multiplexes in the city against screening the film in Pune.

Representatives of the Uttar Bhartiya Vikas Parishad, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti and Yuva Rajput Prathisthan were also present on the occasion to extend their support to the agitation.